Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a child care provider cost in Lynden, WA in 2026?

In Lynden, WA, the average child care provider earns about $17.89 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $716/week or $3,101/month. Most Lynden families pay somewhere in the $17–$21/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$17.89/hr · Lynden average

These numbers come from 46 live child care provider listings in Lynden on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$716
$3,101
$37,211

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What drives the price

Most Lynden families pay somewhere in the $17–$21/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.


01

Experience

Experience is one of the biggest levers on a child care provider's rate.
Nannies with 10+ years, or specialty skills like newborn care or multiple languages, typically command the highest hourly rates.

02

Number of kids

One child is the baseline. Each additional child usually adds $1–$2/hour. Twins and infants tend toward the high end.
+$1 to $2/hour per additional child
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$17.89
2 kids~$18.89
3+ kids~$19.89+

03

Hours & schedule

Standard weekday daytime hours are easiest to staff. Early mornings, evenings, weekends, and last-minute coverage all push rates up.
10–20%premium for off-hours coverage
Hourly rate adjustment by schedule
Weekday 9–5 (standard)
Evening/weekend+$2–4/hr
Last-minute+$3–5/hr

Also factor in: live-in vs. live-out · household duties beyond childcare · driving · cooking · travel.

How do Lynden child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?

Lynden runs above the U.S. average for child care provider rates, in line with most major metros.

Hiring child care in Lynden, WA typically costs about 10% less than the Washington average of $20/hour and 7% more than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly child care rates compared across Lynden, WA and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Lynden, WA
Lynden, WA$18/hr
Washington$20/hr+11%
United States$17/hr-6%

Where Lynden, WA fits among nearby cities

The most expensive city for child care near Lynden, WA is Seattle at $22.48/hour; the least expensive is Yakima at $17.62/hour.

Below are the 10 most and 10 least expensive cities near Lynden, WA and how each compares to Lynden, WA's average of $17.89/hour.

Most expensive cities near Lynden, WA

Top 10 most expensive cities near Lynden, WA for hiring a child care provider, ranked by average hourly rate.
#City$/hrvs. Lynden, WA
1Seattle$22.48+26%
2Redmond$22.20+24%
3Bothell$22.02+23%
4Edmonds$21.95+23%
5Kirkland$21.93+23%
6Bellevue$21.89+22%
7Issaquah$21.70+21%
8Snohomish$21.35+19%
9Lynnwood$20.96+17%
10Gig Harbor$20.30+13%

Least expensive cities near Lynden, WA

Top 10 least expensive cities near Lynden, WA for hiring a child care provider, ranked by average hourly rate.
#City$/hrvs. Lynden, WA
1Yakima$17.62-2%
2Spokane Valley$17.97
3Spokane$18.07+1%
4Lacey$18.20+2%
5Richland$18.23+2%
6Vancouver$18.45+3%
7Bremerton$18.45+3%
8Lakewood$18.55+4%
9Port Orchard$18.77+5%
10Tacoma$18.87+5%

Tips to find a great child care provider without overpaying

  • Be flexible on experience. Some of the best child care on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced child care with 10+ years. References matter more than years.
  • Consider a share. If your kids are similar ages and you live near another family, a share is the single biggest cost reduction available without compromising on care.
  • Be specific about hours upfront. Most child care will take a slightly lower rate for a guaranteed steady schedule than for a higher-rate, unpredictable one.
  • Bundle benefits thoughtfully. Two weeks PTO, a health stipend, transit passes, education assistance, or an annual raise commitment can help close the gap with families offering a higher hourly rate.
  • Match rate to responsibilities. A higher rate often makes sense once you add cooking, errands, or driving. Don't compare apples to oranges across listings.

How to reduce nanny costs?

Split the cost of a nanny with another family
and enjoy flexible child care.
Learn more about nanny sharing

How families use Nanny Lane to find a child care provider in Lynden, WA

Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with child care — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:

  1. 01

    Browse child care provider profiles in Lynden, WA

    Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.

  2. 02

    Message the ones who look like a fit

    Reach out to the child care whose experience and rate match what you're looking for.

  3. 03

    Schedule a phone call, then a paid trial day

    Trial days feel awkward at first — that's normal. They're the best way to see how a child care provider fits with your family in real time.

  4. 04

    Hire your child care provider

    If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.

Available child care in Lynden, WA

46 active listings in Lynden

Reagan E. - Seeking Work in Lynden

Nanny Reagan

Lynden, WA
$17/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m currently 17 years old. I have 3 years of experience working with newborns and toddlers at CTK in Bellingham. I’m doing online school, so I’m available during work hours. I’m taking ASL (American Sign Language) at Whatcom Community College through running start. I’m also very driven to work hard and to be responsible.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Fiona T. - Seeking Work in Lynden

Nanny Fiona

Lynden, WA
$18/hr
Part-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Fiona, and I’m a 16-year-old Running Start college student based in Lynden, Washington. I’ve been babysitting for the past five years and have experience caring for children of various ages. I am CPR and First Aid certified. I’m reliable, eager to learn, and able to drive to nearby areas. I’m excited about the opportunity to support a childcare team!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Shelby G. - Seeking Work in Lynden

Nanny Shelby

Lynden, WA
$18/hr
Full-time
8 years experience

A little bit about me

I am looking for a family who needs a full time nanny where I be an asset to their family and provide them with the best experience for their children! I love going to the park, playing fun games, baking, and so much more!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Kayla R. - Seeking Work in Lynden

Nanny Kayla

Lynden, WA
$17/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hey I’m kayla! Im graduating from lynden high school this year and I plan on attending evergreen beauty school in the fall I’m looking for a family to babysit all summer long and hopefully once school starts for the young kids to help with picking up from school and babysitting after school for families who need it!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Hadassah W. - Seeking Work in Lynden

Nanny Hadassah

Lynden, WA
$23 - $28/hr
Part-time
9 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Hadassah, and I've lived in Lynden. WA for a little over a year! I'm happily looking for a family I can help through childcare, part-time or occasionally .

In summer 2022 I spent 5 months (spring/summer) in Africa with a family where I watched over their 5 children(ages 4 months, 2, 4, 5, and 6). We did a lot of play time, naps, lunch, imaginary pay, books, and watched older sisters play, basically spent 18 hours a day with them.
In summer 2023, I nannied another family that had 5 kids (ages 3, 4 (x2), 7, & 10). We often did crafts, coloring, walks on their farm, went to parks/playground and did some light housekeeping and made lunches. I enjoyed that but it was just for the summer!
And then most recently, from June 2024 to November, I nannied a 20 month old. I stopped to be near family but I loved it! We we went to toddler programs (dancing, art classes), strolled to parks and different places, did lunches, naps, and read lots of books and playtime.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certification

CPR
Tayah T. - Seeking Work in Lynden

Nanny Tayah

Lynden, WA
$18/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I’ve always loved kids! I love getting involved with what they want and need to do and making sure they have fun!
Sierra A. - Seeking Work in Lynden

Nanny Sierra

Lynden, WA
$16.66/hr
Part-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Sierra Alexander I’m a 2024 highschool graduate currently taking classes at Whatcom community college. I love helping and taking care of others and I love working with kids! I’ve babysat for a lot of families and have worked at my church’s nursery and a middle school church camp!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Taylor B. - Seeking Work in Lynden

Nanny Taylor

Lynden, WA
$16.66/hr
Full-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hello. My name is Taylor. I am someone who just wants to have a fun time. As well as take care of children. My dream job is to be a teacher and I wanted to start that early by becoming a nanny

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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